Literary Techniques In L Etranger

L'etranger, Albert Camus' first book was published in 1942. It is set in French Algeria and tells the story of a man, Meursault, the narrator, who is supposedly leading an 'absurd' life. His life and opinions lack rational order. As Meursault doesn't conform to society's mould, this leads him to being condemned by society. In L'etranger, Camus tried to undermine the sense of stability and security that the justice system provides. Using numerous literary techniques, Camus puts across his view that the justice system is flawed.

"Aujourd'hui, maman est morte." The first line of the novel informs the reader that Meursault's mother has died, but it also gives us an inside look into Meursaults thought process. He reacts indifferent toward emotion

Raymond and Marie exploit Meursault's apathy by creating their own version of his personality, by playing Meursault against himself. When Marie asks Meursault to marry her, Meursault simply says that "cela m'était égal et que nous pourrions le faire si elle le voulait. Elle a voulu savoir alors si je l'aimais. J'ai répondu comme je l'avais déjà fait une fois, que cela ne signifiait rien mais que sans doute je ne l'aimais pas."(pg67) but complies to keep her happy. It becomes evident that Meursault focuses mainly on the present, with little reflection to past events or potential consequences. This attitude maybe explains his contradictory attitude towards Marie's marriage proposal. As Meursault doesn't think about what the marriage would mean, he does not really care about the outcome of the marriage. Characteristically, he doesn't think about the emotional aspects of marriage. Meursault is defying society's expectations by agreeing to marry Marie. He states that he doesn't love her, which many people might see as something to question his morals, however Meursault is simply telling the

The jury's decision isn't based on the type of crime (the murder of an Arab by a Frenchman wouldn't usually have been a capital punishment) but on its judgement of Meursault's character. It is clear that the prosecutor feels that Meursault's real misdeed is the rebuttal of the moral code. Meursault is sentenced for his lack of appropriate filial grief towards his mother's death as for his refusal to seek forgiveness of the Arab's death. In the end, Meursault is condemned for his nonconformity, for dismissing "les règles les plus essentielles". This becomes evident to the reader that Meursault challenges society's rules and thus must be executed. After he is imprisoned, Meursault accepts his status as a criminal, but only begins to realise why society considers his way of life to be guilty. He accepts his role of moral monster "il me restait à souhaiter qu'il y ait beaucoup de spectateurs le jour de mon exécution et qu'ils m'accueillent avec des cris de haine." Although Meursault becomes an enemy of society, he reaches a harmony with the universe that has attacked